Social Norms
Social norms action with informed and engaged societies
Social Norms

After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. 

Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future. 

On the transfer, co-founder Victoria Martin expressed her pleasure to see this work continue under Wits' leadership, knowing that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction. 

As Wits, we honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades and look forward building from that strong base. This includes co-founders Warren Feek (1953-2024) and Victoria Martin as well as La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA), which continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com with links to The CI Global site. We are also eager to forge new partnerships and entertain new ideas as we consider how best to contribute to social and behaviour change in our rapidly evolving environment.

If you are joining the International Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Summit in Panama, please join Wits and CILA on Monday, 22 June, to share your thoughts and suggestion for the relaunch of the Communication Initiative. We will be in Pacifica 5 from 12-1:25 for the Refuel, Reflect, and Renew Lunch Series: The Communication Initiative: celebrating a driving force for Communication for Social Change and the way forward. We will reflect on the legacy of Warren Feek and family in creating the Communication Initiative, consider the contributions of CI over the years and then turn our attention towards the future in this dynamic session. 

If you are unable to join us in Panama, we still want to hear from you. Please contribute your thoughts by following this link: https://redcap.link/CommunicationInitiative2026 or reaching out to ci_surveys@commint.com. 

You can also follow the QR Code:

 https://redcap.link/CommunicationInitiative2026

Time to read
less than
1 minute
Print
a- a+
Published 23 years ago
Last updated 1 year ago
Read so far

LIFEQuest 2002 - Vancouver Island, Canada

0 comments
In July 2002, Leadership Initiative For Earth (LIFE) held a one-month training expedition for 12 youth from 8 countries in the Clayoquot Sound United Nations Biosphere Reserve on Vancouver Island in Canada. Participants in LIFEQuest were trained to script, shoot, and edit their own video documentaries. The purpose of the programme was to inspire young people to communicate the importance of protecting the earth and its resources - and to find and share sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
Communication Strategies
The team experienced ecosystems, cultures, and sustainable development projects through hands-on study with educators. Participants were taught to use video production equipment to convey their thoughts on addressing global sustainability issues. Each participant produced a documentary communicating his or her own perspective on these issues. An editing lab was set up in two large tents; videos were edited on laptop computers donated by Apple Inc.
Development Issues
Youth, Environment.
Key Points
Over 20 inspirational videos were produced as part of LIFEQuest. They have since been screened around the world.

Established in 1995, LIFE is a charitable organisation that strives to "enable young people to be effective stewards of the Earth in the career and life path they choose." To date, over 1400 young people have participated in LIFE's programmes.

LIFEquest will not continue in 2003. Instead, LIFE has developed a programme called Tongtana Challenge (click here for programme details).
Partners

United Nations Environment Programme, Government of Canada, Earth Summit 2002 Canada, Apple, Inc.

Sources

LIFE site.